System and method for controlling ground transceiver communications with a satellite transceiver

ABSTRACT

A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a ranking threshold indicative of a transceiver ranking of a ground transceiver that authorizes the ground transceiver to transmit a message to the satellite transceiver. The ground transceiver receives the ranking threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines if the ground transceiver is authorized to transmit a message based on a comparison of the ranking threshold and a transceiver ranking of the ground transceiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to controlling communications betweensatellite transceiver configured to receive concurrently a plurality ofmessages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality ofground transceivers, and those ground transceivers, and moreparticularly relates to determining if or when a message is transmittedby a particular ground transceiver, or determining how much power isused to transmit a message from a particular ground transceiver to thesatellite transceiver.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Terrestrial/Satellite communication systems with various protocols andstandards to optimize desired services have been proposed. For example,the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has proposedan Enhanced Spread Spectrum Aloha (E-SSA) protocol or standard that usesiterative processing to maximize the number of ground transceivers thatcan transmit to a satellite transceiver or satellite system at any giventime. The iterative process used by the satellite system records signalreceived that includes all the superimposed transmitted messages frommultiple ground transceivers, and detects the strongest message anddecodes it to get an error free message. The iterative process thensubtracts the message from a recording of the signal received using acancellation technique to get a version of the recording without thestrongest message. The iterative process repeats this operation with thenext strongest signals until there are no signals left to decode.

Aloha is a term used to describe communications where groundtransceivers can transmit a message at any time and then check to see ifthe message was received by a satellite transceiver or satellite system.If too many ground transceivers send messages at the same time, ‘messagecollisions’ may occur, and the satellite transceiver may not detect themessage. If the satellite system does not acknowledge that the messagewas receive, it may be an indication that a message collision occurredor the message did not have enough energy to be detected. If too manyground transceivers transmit simultaneously, a high priority message(e.g. a message indicating that a vehicle collision has occurred) maynot be detected by the satellite system.

What is needed is a way to manage how ground transceivers send messagesto increase the probability that a high priority message is received bya satellite transceiver or satellite system that receives concurrently(i.e. at the same time) a plurality of messages at substantially thesame carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers,especially during emergency and/or high use conditions such as congestedareas, disasters, public safety, and peak time of day periods

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein ways to configure ground transceivers and satellitetransceivers, or method to operate the same, to control if or when amessage is transmitted by a particular ground transceiver, or how muchpower is used to transmit a message from a particular ground transceiverto the satellite transceiver configured to receive concurrently aplurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from aplurality of ground transceivers.

In accordance with one embodiment, a ground transceiver configured tocommunicate with a satellite transceiver is provided. The satellitetransceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality ofmessages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality ofground transceivers. The ground transceiver includes a receiver and atransmitter. The receiver is configured to receive a ranking thresholdfrom the satellite transceiver. The transmitter is configured todetermine if a message is authorized to be transmitted based on acomparison of the ranking threshold and a transceiver ranking of theground transceiver.

In another embodiment, a satellite transceiver configured to receiveconcurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrierfrequency from a plurality of ground transceivers is provided. Thesatellite transceiver is further configured to transmit a rankingthreshold indicative of a transceiver ranking of a ground transceiverthat authorizes the ground transceiver to transmit a message to thesatellite transceiver.

In yet another embodiment, a method of controlling communication betweena satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver is provided. Thesatellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a pluralityof messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a pluralityof ground transceivers. The method includes the step of transmitting aranking threshold by the satellite transceiver. The ranking threshold isindicative of a transceiver ranking of a ground transceiver thatauthorizes the ground transceiver to transmit a message to the satellitetransceiver. The method also includes the step of receiving the rankingthreshold by the ground transceiver. The method also includes the stepof determining if the ground transceiver is authorized to transmit amessage based on a comparison of the ranking threshold and a transceiverranking of the ground transceiver.

Further features and advantages will appear more clearly on a reading ofthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which isgiven by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terrestrial/satellite communicationsystem in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of part of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance withone embodiment;

FIG. 3 is flowchart of a method of operating the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is flowchart of a method of operating the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a terrestrial/satellitecommunication system, hereafter the system 10. In general, the system 10includes a satellite 12 equipped with a satellite transceiver 14. Thesystem 10 is generally configured to manage or control communicationsbetween the satellite transceiver 14 and a plurality of groundtransceivers 16. Non-limiting examples of the ground transceiver 16includes a ground transceiver 16A or 16B installed in a vehicle 18A or18B respectively, a ground transceiver 16C that is a hand held deviceoperated by a pedestrian 18C, and a ground transceiver 16D installed ina residence 18D or other building such as a business or place ofcommerce. Hereafter, the plurality of ground transceivers may be oftenbe referred to, individually or as a group, as the ground transceiver 16or the ground transceivers 16.

In general, the satellite transceiver 14 is configured to receiveconcurrently (i.e. at the same time or simultaneously) a plurality ofmessages from the plurality of ground transceivers (e.g. 18A, 18B, 18C,18D) because the time at which a ground transceiver initiates sending amessage is not coordinated. That is, each of the ground transceivers 16can individually determine when to transmit a message 20, and so thetime intervals that the various messages are sent may overlap orcoincide. The various messages are illustrated as a signals orcommunication links between the satellite transceiver 14 and the groundtransceiver 16. Hereafter, those messages are often referred toparticularly as a message 20A from the ground transceiver 16A, a message20B from the ground transceiver 16B, a message 20C from the groundtransceiver 16C, a message 20D from the ground transceiver 16D; orgenerically as a message 20 or messages 20 from the ground transceiver16. The satellite transceiver 14 may receive the messages 20concurrently, and the messages 20 may all be transmitted by the groundtransceivers 16 at substantially the same carrier frequency. As usedherein, substantially the same carrier frequency means that differencesof carrier frequencies for each of the messages 20 is due topart-to-part type variation of the carrier frequency generationequipment (not shown) in the ground transceivers 16. The details of suchconcurrent message transmission at substantially the same carrierfrequency is described in the Enhanced Spread Spectrum Aloha (E-SSA)standard or protocol published by the European TelecommunicationsStandards Institute (ETSI).

The system 10 may also include a base station 22 that may operate thesatellite 12 as described herein. By way of example and not limitation,the satellite 12, or more particularly the satellite transceiver 14, maymerely be a repeater for a base signal 23 from the base station 22. Itshould be appreciated that signal processing or other actions describedherein that are attributed to the satellite 12 or the satellitetransceiver 14 may also be attributed to the base station 22.Alternatively, the satellite 12 itself may perform some of the signalprocessing described herein, and may determine information that is sentto the ground transceivers 16, where the information sent is determinedby the satellite 12 independent of information sent via the base signal23 from the base station 22. As such, references to the satellitetransceiver 14 may optionally include the base station 22 as part of theany communications being described, and are not limited only totransceiver hardware located in the satellite 12. While many of theexamples given below are related to the ground transceiver 16 beinginstalled in a vehicle, the teachings set forth herein are alsoapplicable to ground transceivers carried by a pedestrian 18C, orinstalled in a residence 18D.

FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of communications between thesatellite transceiver 14 and the ground transceiver 16 in more detailthan shown in FIG. 1. The ground transceiver 16 may include atransmitter 24 configured to transmit the message 20 to the satellitetransceiver 14, and include a receiver 26 configured to receiveinformation 28 from the satellite transceiver 14. The ground transceiver16 may also include a controller 30 coupled to the transmitter 24 andthe receiver 26. The controller 30 may include a processor (not shown)such as a microprocessor or other control circuitry as should be evidentto those in the art. The controller 30 may include memory, includingnon-volatile memory, such as electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM) for storing one or more routines, thresholdsand captured data. The one or more routines may be executed by theprocessor to perform steps for determining the message 20 transmitted bythe transmitter 24 and processing the information 28 received by thereceiver 26 for controlling the ground transceiver 16 as describedherein. While not specifically shown, the satellite transceiver 14 maysimilarly include a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller withfeatures similar to those shown in the ground transceiver 16, as will beevident to those in the art.

In another embodiment, the receiver 26 may be configured to determinesignal strength of a signal (e.g. the information 28) received from thesatellite transceiver 14. Then, the transmitter 24 or the controller 30may be configured to determine a transmit power for the transmitter 24to transmit the message 20 based on the signal strength of the signalreceived from the satellite transceiver 14. Such a feature may be usefulif, for example, the signal path between the satellite transceiver 14and the ground transceiver 16 is blocked by trees (foliage), a building,or a roof of a parking structure where the vehicle 18A is located. Ifthe signal strength of the information 28 is low, it can be presumedthat the signal path is blocked. As such, the transmit power may beincreased to transmit the message 20 through the obstruction to arriveat the satellite transceiver 14 with sufficient signal strength.

In another embodiment, the receiver 26 may be configured to determine acount of other ground transceivers concurrently transmitting messages tothe satellite transceiver. Such a count may be based on the receiver 26keeping track of how many ground transceiver identification numbers aredetected. Such a count may be used to determine if the transmit power ofthe transmitter should be increased to assure that the message 20 isreceived by the satellite transceiver 14, or if the ground transceiver16 should wait until the count is lower.

In another embodiment, the ground transceiver 16 may be configured toreceive a geographic preference from the satellite transceiver 14, andthe transmit power may be determined based on a comparison of thegeographic preference to the geographic location. As such, the transmitpower may be determined based on a geographic location of the groundtransceiver. Such a feature may be useful to, for example, overcomeidentified local weather obstructions, or in recognition that anemergency exists proximate to the geographic location.

In another embodiment, the transmitter 24 may be configured to determinea transmit power of the transmitter to transmit a message based on aninstallation configuration of the ground transceiver 16. For example, ahandheld ground transceiver (the ground transceiver 16C) may requirereduced transmit power to prevent potential injury to the pedestrian18C. However, if the installation has a remote antenna such as is shownfor the ground transceiver 16D installed on the residence 18D, thenhigher power may be used without risking potential injury to personsinside or around the residence 18D.

The non-limiting examples that follow demonstrate various ways tooperate the transmitter 24 in order to increase the probability that themessage 20 is received by the satellite transceiver 14, or decrease therisk that a message from one ground transceiver interferes with amessage from another ground transceiver, are described. In someinstances, how the operate the transmitter 24 may be based on theinformation 28 received by the ground transceiver 16. In otherinstances, the ground transceiver 16 may autonomously determine how tooperate the transmitter 24 without regard to, or in the absence of, theinformation 28. Furthermore, these two instances of how to operate thetransmitter 24 (dependent on the information 280R autonomous) can befurther characterized as being based on, but not limited to, atransceiver ranking of the ground transceiver 16, and a priority ratingof the message 20 to be sent.

FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example of a method 300 of controllingcommunication between a satellite transceiver 14 and a groundtransceiver 16, where the satellite transceiver 14 is configured toreceive concurrently a plurality of messages 20 at substantially thesame carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers 16A, 16B,16C, and 16D. A distinguishing aspect of the method 300 is that method300 is generally directed to the instance where the ground transceiver16 acts autonomously to determine how to operate the transmitter 24. Incontrast, a non-limiting example of a method 400 in FIG. 4 illustratesan example where the ground transceiver 16 receives various kinds ofinformation (e.g.—the information 28) and uses that information todetermine how to operate the transmitter 24. It is contemplated that themethod 300 and the method 400 could be combined or blended in variousways so that how to operate the transmitter 24 may be characterized aspartially autonomous on the part of the ground transceiver 16, andpartially dependent on the information 28 received from the satellitetransceiver 14.

Step 305, DETERMINE TRANSCEIVER RANKING, is an optional step that mayinclude establishing or defining several ranks or ranking levels for theground transceivers 16. For example, if the vehicle 18A is a governmentvehicle such as a police car or fire-department vehicle, the groundtransceiver 16A may be assigned a transceiver ranking characterized asbeing higher than, for example, the ground transceiver 16B installed ina civilian vehicle. As will be described in more detail, the groundtransceiver 16 may be pre-programmed during manufacturing with thetransceiver ranking, and so the sale or distribution of a groundtransceiver having a higher than normal transceiver ranking may becontrolled or restricted.

Alternatively, the transceiver ranking may be determined or indicated byan identification number of the ground transceiver 16, such as a serialnumber, a transceiver class, a transceiver model, a transceiversubscription-level, or a transceiver group-application. The transceiverclass, transceiver model number, or transceiver group-application may beways that the ground transceivers 16 may be tracked so that the sale ofthe ground transceiver 16 with a high transceiver ranking is to anauthorized purchaser.

By way of further example and not limitation, the ground transceiver 16sold to civilian and non-civilian customers may be identical, but thetransceiver ranking of a particular ground transceiver is determined orestablished when a subscription to the system 10 for a particular groundtransceiver having a particular serial number is established. As such,the information 28 may include data that indicates a transceiver rankingof the ground transceiver 16, which may be stored in the controller 30.By this arrangement, the receiver 26 may be configured to receive atransceiver ranking from the satellite transceiver 14.

Step 310, DETERMINE PRIORITY RATING, is an optional step that mayinclude determining if the message 20 that is about to be sent by thetransmitter 24 is characterized as having a higher than normal priority.High priority messages may include messages arising from an emergency orother situation requiring immediate and/or high reliabilitycommunications, such as the vehicle 18A being involved in a collision,or that the airbags in the vehicle 18A have been deployed. Such messagesmay be automatically sent by driver assistance providers such asON-STAR®. If the message 20 is determined to be a high priority message,then additional steps described below may be taken or executed toincrease the probability that the message in question (the high prioritymessage) is detected or received by the satellite transceiver 14.

Conversely, the priority rating of a message 20 may be determined to bea low priority message. Additional steps described below may be taken toreduce the probability that a low priority message will interfere withthe satellite transceiver 14 detecting or receiving some other messagehaving a higher priority rating, i.e. higher than low priority, forexample normal priority. An example of a low priority rating is if theground transceiver 16D is installed in the residence 18D and the groundtransceiver 16B attempts to communicate the message 20D that indicatesthat a pay-per-view movie has been viewed. Such a low priority messagedoes not need to be immediately received by satellite transceiver 14. Asan option, the message 20D can wait until the volume of messages beingsent to the satellite transceiver 14 is relatively low, in the middle ofthe night for example.

It is contemplated that the system 10 may execute either step 305 orstep 310, or both steps depending on the configuration of the system 10.For example, the system 10 may be configured to be responsive only todifferences in the priority rating of a message and not the transceiverranking of the ground transceiver 16, and so executing step 305 may beunnecessary. Conversely, the system 10 may be configured to beresponsive only to transceiver ranking, and so executing step 310 may beunnecessary.

Step 320, DETERMINE RANKING THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude determining a ranking threshold for the ground transceiver 16based on a preprogrammed ranking threshold stored in the controller 30.The ranking threshold may be programmed into the controller as part of amanufacturing process, or as part of a set-up process at the point ofsale of the ground transceiver. It should be recognized that if step305, DETERMINE TRANSCEIVER RANKING, is not performed, there is no needto perform this step 320.

Step 330, DETERMINE PRIORITY THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude determining a priority threshold of a message 20 about to besent by the ground transceiver 16 based on a preprogrammed prioritythreshold stored in the controller 30. The priority threshold may beprogrammed into the controller as part of a manufacturing process, or aspart of a set-up process at the point of sale of the ground transceiver.It should be recognized that if step 310, DETERMINE PRIORITY RATING, isnot performed, there is no need to perform this step 330.

Step 340, TRANSCEIVER RANKING≧RANKING THRESHOLD, is an optional stepthat may include the controller 30 or the transmitter 24 performing acomparison of the ranking threshold determined in step 320 to thetransceiver ranking of the ground transceiver determined in step 305. Ifthe transceiver ranking is greater than or equal to the rankingthreshold (YES), then the transceiver is generally authorized totransmit the message 20, and so the method 300 progresses to step 345.If NO, the method 300 proceeds to step 370, WAIT, where the groundtransceiver 16 may wait for a predetermined or randomly selected timebefore restarting the method 300. To prevent the ground transceiver 16from being stuck in this loop, step 370 may also include a step totemporarily increase the transceiver ranking or lower the rankingthreshold so that after a plurality of attempts to pass the test in step340, the result is YES. Alternatively, step 370 may also include a stepto remove or delete a message from a transmission queue or memory in thecontroller 30 based on a time out, quantity of messages in the queue orother means to maintain receiver performance. While step 340 may suggestthat a comparison of numerical values is performed, it is contemplatedthat the comparison may be a GO/NO-GO type of comparison, such asdetermining if the transceiver ranking of the ground transceiver is on alist of authorized transceiver rankings, where that list ischaracterized as the ranking threshold.

Step 345, PRIORITY RATING≧PRIORITY THRESHOLD, is an optional step thatmay include the controller 30 or the transmitter 24 performing acomparison of the priority threshold determined in step 330 to thepriority rating of a message 20 determined in step 310. If the priorityrating is greater than or equal to the priority threshold (YES), thenthe transceiver is generally authorized to transmit the message 20, andso the method 300 progresses to step 350. If NO, the method 300 proceedsto step 370, WAIT, where the ground transceiver 16 may wait for apredetermined or randomly selected time before restarting the method300. To prevent the ground transceiver 16 from being stuck in this loop,step 370 may also include a step to temporarily increase the priorityrating or lower the priority threshold so that after a plurality ofattempts to pass the test in step 345, the result is YES. Alternatively,step 370 may also include a step to remove or delete a message from atransmission queue or memory in the controller 30 based on a time out,quantity of messages in the queue or other means to maintain receiverperformance. If the priority rating is greater than or equal to thepriority threshold, then the ground transceiver 16 is generallyauthorized to transmit the message 20. While step 345 may suggest that acomparison of numerical values is performed, it is contemplated that thecomparison may be a GO/NO-GO type of comparison, such as determining ifthe priority rating of the ground transceiver is on a list of authorizedpriority rating, where that list is characterized as the prioritythreshold.

After it has been determined that the ground transceiver 16 isauthorized to transmit because the transceiver ranking of the groundtransceiver 16 is sufficient, or because the priority ranking of themessage 20 is sufficient, additional steps may be taken to, for example,increase the probability that the message 20 is detected or received bythe satellite transceiver 14.

Step 350, DETERMINE TRANSMIT POWER, is an optional step that may includeconfiguring or equipping the transmitter 24 to vary the amount oftransmit power that the transmitter 24 is authorized to use to transmitthe message 20. The transmit power used may be determined (i.e.selected) based on a comparison of the priority threshold and a priorityrating of the message to be transmitted, or be determined based on acomparison of the ranking threshold and the transceiver ranking of theground transceiver 16, or both. By increasing the transmit power, theprobability that the satellite transceiver 14 will detect or receive themessage 20 will be increased.

By way of an example and not limitation, if the message 20B from theground transceiver 16B is being sent by a driver assistance system suchas ON-STAR® in response to the driver assistance system detecting thatthe vehicle 18B has been involved in a collision, or because the vehicleairbags have been deployed, then the message 20B may be designated as ahigh priority message. As such, the controller 30 or the transmitter 24in the ground transceiver 16B may increase the transmit power used bythe ground transceiver 16B so that the message 20B is more likely to bedetected or received by the satellite transceiver 14.

By way of another example and not limitation, if the ground transceiver16B is installed in a police vehicle (the vehicle 18A), the groundtransceiver 16B may increase the transmit power used to transmit themessage 20A in response to a police officer pressing a button (notshown) on the ground transceiver 16A to indicate that the message 20A isa high priority message, for example a request to send an ambulance.

Step 355, DETERMINE TRANSMIT TIME, is an optional step that may includedetermining a transmit time that corresponds to a transmit time-of-dayinterval indicative of what time-of-day that the transmitter isauthorized to transmit the message. By way of example and notlimitation, if the ground transceiver 16D is part of a businesstransaction communication system that can wait until the middle of thenight to report business transactions made during day-time businesshours, then the transmit time may be scheduled to be at 02:00 hours(2:00 am) local time. It is contemplated that reduced transmit power maybe used to transmit the message 20D if the message 20D is sent at thistransmit time.

Step 360, TRANSMIT MESSAGE, may include the ground transceiver 16transmitting the message 20 using the transmit power determined in step350, and/or at the transmit time determined in step 355.

Step 370, WAIT, is described above in the description of steps 340 and345.

FIG. 4 illustrates a non-limiting example of a method 400 of controllingcommunication between a satellite transceiver 14 and a groundtransceiver 16, where the satellite transceiver 14 is configured toreceive concurrently a plurality of messages 20 at substantially thesame carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers 16A, 16B,16C, and 16D. A distinguishing aspect of the method 400, in contrast tothe method 300, is that the ground transceiver 16 receives various kindsof information (e.g—the information 28) and uses that information tohelp determine how to operate the transmitter 24.

Step 405, DETERMINE TRANSCEIVER RANKING, is an optional step that mayinclude establishing or defining several ranks or ranking levels for theground transceivers 16, similar to as describe for step 305.

Step 410, DETERMINE PRIORITY RATING, is an optional step that mayinclude determining if the message 20 that is about to be sent by thetransmitter 24 is characterized as having a higher than normal priority,similar to as describe for step 310.

Step 415, TRANSMIT RANKING THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude the satellite transceiver 14 transmitting a ranking threshold tothe ground transceiver 16, which may be stored in the controller 30. Theranking threshold is generally indicative of a transceiver ranking of aground transceiver that that is necessary for the ground transceiver 16to be authorized to transmit a message 20 to the satellite transceiver14. It is contemplated that the ranking threshold may change over time.For example, the ranking threshold may increase in times of a widespreademergency such as during a hurricane so that police, fire, and othersafety/rescue related services are able to use the system 10 withoutundue interference.

By way of a further example and not limitation, the ranking thresholdreceived by the ground transceiver 16 may be dependent on a geographiclocation or area of the ground transceiver. For example, if floodingoccurs in a defined geographic location or area, the ranking thresholdfor the ground transceivers 16 within that area may be decreased so thatthe ground transceivers within the area are more likely to establish ormaintain communication with the satellite transceiver 14. Alternatively,or in addition, the ranking threshold for the ground transceivers 16outside that area may be increased for the same effect.

Step 420, TRANSMIT PRIORITY THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude the satellite transceiver 14 transmitting a priority thresholdto the ground transceiver 16, which may be stored in the controller 30.The priority threshold is generally indicative of a priority rating ofthe message 20 to be sent by the ground transceiver 16 that is necessaryfor the ground transceiver 16 to be authorized to transmit a message 20to the satellite transceiver 14. It is contemplated that the prioritythreshold may change over time. For example, the priority threshold maybe increased when the number of messages being received by the satellitetransceiver is high, such as during rush hour, or in the event of anemergency, as described above. By way of a further example and notlimitation, the priority threshold received by the ground transceiver 16may be dependent on a geographic location or area of the groundtransceiver, as described above.

Step 425, TRANSMIT TIME REFERENCE, is an optional step that may includethe satellite transceiver 14 transmitting a reference pulse, a delaytime indicative of the beginning of a time-slot measured relative to thereference pulse, delay time indicative of how long the groundtransceiver should wait to retransmit the message 20 if a prior attemptis not acknowledged by the satellite transceiver 14, or a clock timeindicative of a transmit time-of-day that the ground transceiver 16should transmit the message 20.

By way of an example and not limitation, to increase the probability ofthe satellite transceiver 14 receiving as many of the messages 20 aspossible, the ground transceivers 16 may receive a delay time from thesatellite transceiver that, in combination with an identification numberof the ground transceiver 16, indicates a delay time after receiving thereference pulse or similar time reference indicator that the groundtransceiver 16 should transmit the message 20. Such a delay time may beused to indicate a transmit time that corresponds to a transmittime-slot or time interval relative to the time reference that thetransmitter 24 or the ground transceiver 16 is authorized to transmitthe message 20. By way of another example, the transmit time may be usedto indicate a transmit time-of-day interval day that the transmitter isauthorized to transmit the message

Step 430, RECEIVE RANKING THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude the receiver 26 or the ground transceiver 16 receiving theranking threshold transmitted in step 415. It should be apparent that ifstep 415 is not executed, then this step would not be executed.

Step 435, RECEIVE PRIORITY THRESHOLD, is an optional step that mayinclude the receiver 26 or the ground transceiver 16 receiving thepriority threshold transmitted in step 420. It should be apparent thatif step 420 is not executed, then this step would not be executed.

Step 440, TRANSCEIVER RANKING≧RANKING THRESHOLD, is an optional stepthat may include the controller 30 or the transmitter 24 performing acomparison of the ranking threshold received in step 430 to thetransceiver ranking of the ground transceiver determined in step 405. Inmany respects, step 440 is similar to step 340.

Step 445, PRIORITY RATING≧PRIORITY THRESHOLD, is an optional step thatmay include the controller 30 or the transmitter 24 performing acomparison of the priority threshold received in step 435 to thepriority rating of a message 20 determined in step 410. In manyrespects, step 445 is similar to step 345.

Step 450, DETERMINE TRANSMIT POWER, is an optional step that may includeconfiguring or equipping the transmitter 24 to vary the amount oftransmit power that the transmitter 24 is authorized to use to transmitthe message 20. In many respects, step 450 is similar to step 350.

Step 455, DETERMINE TRANSMIT TIME, is an optional step that may includedetermining a transmit time that corresponds to a transmit time-slotindicative of a time interval relative to the time reference that thetransmitter is authorized to transmit the message.

Step 460, TRANSMIT MESSAGE, may include the ground transceiver 16transmitting the message 20 using the transmit power determined in step450, and/or at the transmit time determined in step 455.

Step 470, WAIT, is executed if the tests in step 440 or 445 result in aNO outcome. In many respects, step 470 is similar to step 370.

Accordingly, a terrestrial/satellite communication system (the system10), a satellite transceiver 14 and a ground transceiver 16 for thesystem 10, and a method 300 and a method 400 of controllingcommunication is provided. The various configurations and methods areuseful to coordinate the transmission of the messages 20 to increase theprobability that an important or high priority message is not lostbecause too many ground transceivers are transmitting concurrently.Satellite systems that incorporate these features provide their userswith greater probability of high priority messages being received. Thisenables those satellite systems an added benefit over systems that donot use these features. These features enable a limited resource system(satellite) to provide higher levels of service for receivers andmessages that are of the highest importance while maintaining a systemthat can be used for lower services as well.

While this invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but ratheronly to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.

We claim:
 1. A ground transceiver configured to communicate with asatellite transceiver, wherein the satellite transceiver is configuredto receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially thesame carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers, saidground transceiver comprising: a receiver configured to receive aranking threshold from the satellite transceiver; and a transmitterconfigured to determine if a message is authorized to be transmittedbased on a comparison of the ranking threshold and a transceiver rankingof the ground transceiver.
 2. The ground transceiver in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the ground transceiver is pre-programmed with thetransceiver ranking.
 3. The ground transceiver in accordance with claim1, wherein the transceiver ranking is indicated by an identificationnumber of the ground transceiver.
 4. The ground transceiver inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the identification number includes oneof a transceiver class, a transceiver model, a transceiversubscription-level, and a transceiver group-application.
 5. The groundtransceiver in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ranking threshold isdetermined based on a geographic location of the ground transceiver. 6.A satellite transceiver configured to receive concurrently a pluralityof messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a pluralityof ground transceivers, wherein the satellite transceiver is furtherconfigured to transmit a ranking threshold indicative of a transceiverranking of a ground transceiver that authorizes the ground transceiverto transmit a message to the satellite transceiver.
 7. A method ofcontrolling communication between a satellite transceiver and a groundtransceiver, said satellite transceiver configured to receiveconcurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrierfrequency from a plurality of ground transceivers, said methodcomprising: transmitting a ranking threshold by the satellitetransceiver, said ranking threshold indicative of a transceiver rankingof a ground transceiver that authorizes the ground transceiver totransmit a message to the satellite transceiver; receiving the rankingthreshold by the ground transceiver; and determining if the groundtransceiver is authorized to transmit a message based on a comparison ofthe ranking threshold and a transceiver ranking of the groundtransceiver.
 8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein saidmethod further comprises transmitting the message if the groundtransceiver is authorized.
 9. The method in accordance with claim 7,wherein said method further comprises transmitting the message if apriority rating of the message authorizes the ground transceiver totransmit the message to the satellite transceiver.